Waterloo resident Mark Altadonna announced Thursday that he will run as a Republican candidate for the office of Monroe County Commissioner in 2016.

Commissioner Terry Liefer, also a Republican, has stated he will not seek re-election when his term expires.

A native of Marion County, Altadonna has lived in Waterloo for 28 years with Brenda, his wife of 37 years. They have two daughters and four grandchildren, all Monroe County residents.

He retired from a 38-year career as a community banker in 2013. He was President and CEO of State Bank of Waterloo for 21 years and is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Altadonna said his priorities will be to expand the county’s commercial tax base to provide tax relief to homeowners and to grow local jobs. He said local governments must learn to provide services with fewer resources and believes his business experience will help the county in that regard.

Read more in next week’s Republic-Times newspaper.